Gun sales increase in Colorado

DENVER, July 24 (UPI) -- The Colorado Bureau of Investigation said the number of people looking to purchase firearms has increased by 43 percent during the weekend.

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation reported approval of 2,887 background checks of people who want to buy guns from Friday to Sunday, a 43 percent increase from the Friday to Sunday period the week before, The Denver Post reported.

Some believe the increase in gun sales is connected to the shooting at an Aurora, Colo., movie theater leading to 12 deaths and 58 casualties.

"A lot of it is people saying, 'I didn't think I needed a gun, but now I do,'" said Jake Meyers, an employee at Rocky Mountain Guns and Ammo in Parker, Colo. "When it happens in your backyard, people start reassessing -- 'Hey, I go to the movies.'"

Armed officers stand watch after twelve movie goers were shot and killed with up to fifty nine more people injured at the Century 16 movie theaters at the Aurora Mall in Aurora, Colorado on July 20, 2012. The victims were attending a midnight premiere of the new Batman movie. The suspect, James Holmes, allegedly threw a smoke bomb and opened fire on the moviegoers. He surrendered to police and is currently in custody. UPI/Gary C. CaskeyDesiree Clemenson, Robby Paris and Sandra Paris gather for the prayer vigil at the Aurora Municipal Center on July 22, 2012 to honor the victims of last Friday's movie theater mass shooting at the Century 16 Movie theater complex in Aurora, Colorado. Suspect James Holmes, 24, allegedly went on a shooting spree, killing 12 people and injuring 58 during an early morning premier screening of 'The Dark Knight Rises.' UPI/Trevor Brown, Jr.

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